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How to Change Your Windows Hostname

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Change Windows Hostname

This article will cover how to change a Windows hostname running the following operating systems:

  • Windows Server 2008 R2
  • Windows Server 2012 R2
  • Windows Server 2016

 

Please note that you’ll need to be logged into your server before proceeding.

 

Windows Server 2008 R2

First: Click on the Start icon

Second: Right click Computer

Third: Select Properties

Fourth: The System menu will open in a new window

Fifth: Select Change settings

 

windows update properties

 

Sixth: This will open System Properties in a new window

Seventh: Click Change

 

change system properties

 

Eighth: Enter in the new computer name in the Computer name field

Ninth: Click OK

 

Change Hostname

 

Tenth: A new dialog box will appear prompting you that the server will need to be restarted for the changes to take effect

Eleventh: Click OK

 

Restart Warning

 

Twelfth: Click Close

Thirteenth: If you’re ready to restart your server select Restart Now

 

Restart Prompt

 

After the restart, your Windows hostname will be updated.

 

Windows Server 2012 R2

First: Click on the Windows icon

 

Start Button

 

Second: In the new Window that opens right click This PC

Third: Select Properties

 

Start Menu

 

Fourth: The System window will appear 

Fifth: Click Change settings

 

windows server update

 

Sixth: This will open System Properties in a new window

Seventh: Click Change

 

Change System Properties

 

Eighth: Enter in the new computer name in the Computer name field

Ninth: Click OK

 

Change Hostname

 

Tenth: A new dialog box will appear prompting you that the server will need to be restarted for the changes to take effect

Eleventh: Click OK

 

Restart Warning

 

Twelfth: Click Close

Thirteenth: If you’re ready to restart your server select Restart Now

 

Restart Prompt

 

After the restart, your Windows hostname will be updated.

 

Windows Server 2016

First: Click on the Windows icon

Second: Click on the gear icon to open the Settings app

 

Start Menu

 

Third: Click on the System section of the Settings app

 

Settings

 

Fourth: Click on the About section in the left sidebar to bring up the system properties

Fifth: Click the Rename PC button

 

rename windows hostname

 

Sixth: Enter a new PC name in the text box

Seventh: Click Next

 

Rename your PC

 

Eighth: A new dialog box will appear prompting you that the server will need to be restarted for the changes to take effect

Ninth: Click Restart now

 

Restart Prompt

 

After the restart, your Windows hostname will be updated.

 

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